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Erma L. Trowbridge

TOPEKA—Erma L. Trowbridge, Topeka, died Nov. 18, 2016. She had been a resident of Topeka Presbyterian Manor for more than a year. She was 88.

She was born Sept. 12, 1928, the daughter of Noble Curtis Remington and Florence Esther Rowe, and was one of 12 children. She grew up near Carbondale, and later earned her GED.

She married Junior Lee “Joe” Trowbridge March 4, 1949, at Topeka. He preceded her in death in 2008. They lived in California while Joe served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War.

They made their home in Topeka’s Potwin neighborhood. She worked for many years at Raish Drugstore and Wilson’s Pharmacy at the corner of Washburn and Fifth Ave., serving lunch and handcrafted sodas at the pharmacy’s soda fountain. Later, she worked for the Kansas Department of Revenue, retiring in 1995 after more than 16 years.

She was an active member of Potwin Presbyterian Church and until a year ago, she volunteered at St. Francis Hospital.

For more than 63 years, she was a member of the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. She was initialed to the Topeka Capitola No. 219 Lodge on April 7, 1947. The Capitola merged with the Oakland No. 616 Lodge, which later merged with the El Paso (Derby) No. 741 Lodge. She was a past treasurer of the Kansas Rebekah Assembly and received Meritorious Service Jewel in 2010.

Additionally, she was a member of Topeka Auxiliary No. 3, Ladies Auxiliary Patriachs Militant and Shawnee Ladies Encampment Auxiliary No. 3 of the IOOF of Kansas. She was a past president of the LEPM and a Past Grand Matriach of the LEA.

During her service to others, she made many lasting friendships as a hospital volunteer and with other Lodge members as a regular participant at state and national conventions. Participants at the Lodge’s bingo evenings and other benefit events enjoyed her homemade soups and desserts.

She was also a member of the auxiliary of the United Transportation Union for more than 55 years.